Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked about shortages of medicines. He acknowledged that these are not unique to Ireland and have happened in the past but it is worse than I have ever seen it, anyway. I am told that alternative treatments are available for every product that is currently in short supply. Shortages of certain paracetamol, Amoxicillin or penicillin products relate to individual line items and do not represent an entire portfolio. Unexpected surges in demand such as we have seen take time to resolve as the industry increases production to bring the supply chain back to normal. Medicine supply continues to improve.

The Department of Health is engaging closely with all stakeholders in working to mitigate the current immediate shortages. The Department has analysed products currently listed as short and can confirm that the reimbursement price is not the root cause of the shortage for any of these products. The increased notifications of shortages in recent months directly relate to the increased demand due to the winter surge. The Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, is working with all marketing authorisation holders to increase supply. It will continue to offer regulatory flexibility to suppliers where possible. The HPRA has secured additional stock for many items that are in short supply. The HSE has issued several memos to prescribers and pharmacists, including clinical advice and up-to-date information on available products. A dedicated web page has been developed to allow prescribers to check what is available to supply at the moment.

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